Elevate Your Home Search: Tips and Etiquette at a Showing Appointment

Since its premier in 1999, HGTV's House Hunters has racked up some 232 seasons. Hopefully I don't have to tell you that like all reality TV, much of the series is fantasy concocted for entertainment. But has the damage been done? It seems there's no one who hasn't seen at least several of the 230+ episodes—and it's ruined them! House hunting in real life is nothing like they depict on TV, especially not on that show. But it still should be fun and stress-free. I think home shopping should be considered an American pastime. From window shopping for homes online to jumping in the car with a REALTOR, Americans love to dream about their dream homes.

Still the question remains, has anyone taken the time to review with you the purpose and objective of a showing? Do you know how to handle yourself and your family at a showing? What buttons can I press or drawers can I open? And do you know what to bring to a showing or what NOT to bring? Or are you of the opinion that any monkey can be trained to open doors for you and point out the kitchen and bedrooms?

Allow me break down for you in easily palatable bullet points some aspects of the showing that we feel shouldn't be missed or misunderstood:

The Purpose of a Showing

• Compare one home to another
• Identify your lifestyle priorities & deal-breakers
• Learn to work together through collaborative communication
• Find the right property
• Make an offer

Your main focus should remain fixed on the goal of the showing—to find the right property for you that fits and supports your intended lifestyle. Staying focused can not only expedite your search journey, but also help you maintain clarity as you consider one of the largest purchases you'll likely ever make personally.

Behavior in a Home

It's imperative now, perhaps more than ever, to refrain from touching everything in someone else's home. Not only should we be a bit more mindful of germs these days, we also don't want any liability trouble for being an unruly guest in someone's home. While many homes you'll see are vacant, many are still occupied by the homeowner or tenants. When they step out, they do that to allow you a chance to investigate for yourself what it would be like to live in that home. Their belongings often add depth, warmth and character to a space, but keep in mind that you're there to evaluate the spaces that will remain after all of the personal property has been removed. Opening doors and drawers is a reasonable thing to do if they're part of an item, such as a cupboard, that will remain behind after a sale. Dresser drawers, for instance, should be left alone as they are personal property and not typically part of a real estate sale. For more on what's considered an inclusion or exclusion in a real estate sale follow this link.

• Remember this is someone else’s home and they’ve allowed us to come see it. Refrain from perusing or touching seller’s personal items
• Be respectful of the seller’s home & belongings, culture & lifestyle choices within their own home
• Mind basic manners
• Children should remain in your sight at all times
• All members in your parties should remain in a group
• Expect that you are being listened to. Refrain from sharing personal information, speaking ill of the sellers or their home, or sharing negotiation strategies. Many sellers now use cameras and listening devices for security and to obtain information for negotiating to their advantage
• Discuss negotiations and offer details outside of the home or after we’ve left the premises

You may feel like you've got a good idea of what to bring with you to a showing. For the most part, do what's intuitive. It might make sense to you to bring something to take notes on—there's usually one per couple who's geared this way. But, have you considered how difficult it can be to move freely in and out of the homes you're seeing with your agent without the right shoes? Seems simple, but that's a tip that's often overlooked. There are several other things I could list here, but these are the most important:

What to Bring

• Wear shoes easy to slip on and off, especially in inclement weather
• Wear comfortable clothing
• Something to take notes (notebook, tablet)
• Water & snacks to keep you going between showings
• Tape measure—because there's always something you want to measure
• Folder to keep brochures, info packets gathered & tidy
• Notes you've already compiled about particular properties
• Map & directions, in case your phone doesn't work in the area
• Hard hat if you're exploring new home construction, sun hat if you're exploring acreage

Lastly, while the dreaded COVID seems to be behind us, there are etiquette and protocols that have been adopted following the recent pandemic. While most agents no longer require showing parties to wear PPE, it just makes sense to be sensitive about your health when entering someone else's home. If you're sick, stay home. And, why not use hand sanitizer after each showing? That's rhetorical. You should. You definitely should. It also no longer makes sense to bring anyone who isn't a decision maker along with you to a showing unless you have your little ones who need to be under your care. Besides, the old addage of "too many cooks in the kitchen" applies. Having mom, dad, uncles or aunts there offering well-intended advice, can often confuse you and lead you to second guess your own instincts. If you're the one who's saved and scrimped, and eaten ramen when you could've had steak, just to save extra $, don't let someone else make your homebuying decisions for you. You deserve to do it yourself!

As always, trust your agent to guide you through the process. Here at the Altitude Group, our experiences have led to more refined systems and processes to care for you along the way. Give us a call and let us elevate your next homebuying journey.